Fertilizer shortages in Argentina

We note that number of recent cases concerning shortages of fertilizers in bulk when arriving in Argentinean ports that have lead to customs fines. After reviewing the relevant laws and cases, we would like to recommend owners to control the off loading not only through draft survey but also by carrying out an off loading survey by checking each truck alongside the ship and at the shore scales as the official weights for customs purposes are controlled through this method.

In the case that owners deem the draft survey plus the loading control is an expensive exercise for their burden, one alternative that we have considered for is to proceed in the following way:

Draft survey to be carried out at loading if possible involving local customs.
If possible, all access to cargo spaces including hatch covers to be sealed upon completion (recommended) jointly with the customs authorities at the loading port.
Before ship’s arrival to Argentina collated letters to be passed by agents to Customs/Receivers inviting them to carry out a joint draft survey on arrival and then to jointly proceed with the breaking of seals placed at the load port.
Upon completion “empty holds certificate” to be jointly issued between all parties concerned.

If proceedings are commenced for any discrepancies, the attending lawyer would have more elements to try and defend the charges/fines by stating that both Customs/receivers were given the opportunity to attend onboard so as to comply with the aforementioned steps.

Moreover, owners are advised to at least go ahead with a draft survey and they should be ready for a LOU to be issued in the agents favor in case of any discrepancies upon completion of discharge.

Source of information: Pandi Liquidadores S.r.l

阿根廷肥料短缺

近期到达阿根廷港口的散装肥料多次出现货物短缺问题，并导致海关罚款，因而，在总结了相关法律和案例后，我们建议船东在进行卸货作业的过程中，在采取水尺计重的同时，也通过检验船边停放在岸上计重仪表上的卡车进行计重，因为通过该方法取得的货物重量是用于报关的官方资料。若船东认为水尺计重外加装载控制操作对于船东来说成本较高，我们认为可采取下列措施：